Alan Sheehan

Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan (born 14 September 1986) is an Irish professional footballer and coach who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Oldham Athletic. He played for the Republic of Ireland national under-21 team.

Club Career

Leicester City

Sheehan joined Leicester City in July 2003 after being spotted by a scout whilst playing for Belvedere. He became a regular in both the Academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left back. He also spent two months on loan at Mansfield Town in 2006–07 to gain regular first-team experience. A free-kick specialist, Sheehan made his breakthrough into the first team when Craig Levein named him in the starting lineup for City's final match of 2004–05 against Plymouth Argyle. The 18-year-old picked up the Academy Player of the Season at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.

Sheehan signed a new two-year contract with the club that would keep him at the Walkers Stadium until the end of 2007–08. He scored his first ever competitive goal for Leicester in a 4–1 win over Watford with a deflected 25-yard shot on 25 August 2007, and his second in a 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest with a classy free-kick on 18 September. Following Leicester's 2–0 victory over Bristol City on 24 November, Sheehan was named in the Championship Team of the Week two days later, together with teammates Stephen Clemence and Richard Stearman.

Leeds United

On 31 January 2008, Sheehan joined Leeds United on loan for the rest of the season, making his debut in a 2–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 2 February 2008 replacing Ben Parker at left back. However, after just four matches in the role, Leeds boss Gary McAllister saw the need to provide extra competition in the position by signing Aston Villa's Stephen O'Halloran, also on loan. Despite O'Halloran suffering a serious injury in the warm up for his debut at Swindon Town, Sheehan still lost his Leeds place, this time to Frazer Richardson.

Sheehan revealed that he had rejecte